Primary Menu

Tag Archives: saunas

Many of us do not need a reason to purchase a steam shower enclosure for our own home, as there are already many obvious explanations including health and relaxation benefits. One reason that may have already been overlooked by yourself and many others is how much financial gain you can get from installing a steam shower in your home. According to real estate experts, individuals who install steam showers or saunas can expect to gain back at least 5 times what you initially paid for it, increasing the overall value of your home.

The Cascade Duo – A popular 1200mm x 900mm corner model

In addition to this, having a steam shower or private home sauna immediately makes your home unique and compelling to buy. Luxury additions such as these are considered just that – Luxurious. If a potential buyer finds themselves torn between your home and another with very similar price tags, the inclusion of a sauna or steam room may be the exact thing that sways them towards you. Not only does it increase the overall value of your home, you improve the chances of selling your home quicker.

A typical freestanding steam shower enclosure combines standard showering features such as a shower head, with the added benefit of a steam generator. Users can then enjoy a 30 minute steam session followed by a cold invigorating shower to wash away all the toxins – All in the same space. There is no need to allocate the steam generator at another point in the house, as typically they are built onto the back of the unit itself. This results in a straightforward installation that’s completed at a fraction of the cost of a wet room.

Unlike a wet room, you dont’ need to worry about creating a water resistant enclosed area, inclusive of membrane and selective tiling. Furthermore, you need to ensure your door system is air tight to ensure that water and steam alike stays in the room. Creating a waterproof membrane can be quite costly, especially if not done correctly in the first place.

If you’re looking to add instant proven value to your home, consider the option of a steam shower enclosure when upgrading your bathroom. You’ll be benefitting both your body and your wallet.

It never ceases to amaze us to what lengths the Finn’s will go to enjoy a sauna! A small team of Finnish mountaineers have just summited Mont Blanc, the highest peak in both the Alps and European Union. Once at the summit the team then proceeded to erect a temporary sauna before stripping down to their underwear to enjoy the staggering views from the warmth of the sauna.

Sauna on Mont Blanc. Photo source:Telegraph.co.uk

The team of 4 climbers reached the summit in sub-zero temperatures in late August 2010 along with a specially designed sauna stove and tent. Once a suitably clear day was decided upon the team departed in the dark so as to reach the summit at day-break. The tent was then constructed along with a sauna stove designed to burn wood at high altitudes and a wooden bench. Kari Härkönen exclaims “The sauna got so hot that it felt quite refreshing to wash in the snow at -5C outside”.

Sauna tent & heater. Photo source:Telegraph.co.uk

The group had been acclimatised to the high altitude with mountaineering experts before setting off on this exhilarating experience. Once heated and cooled the team took down the tent and descended back down the mountain. Watch their experience below and let us know your thoughts. What extremes have you gone to when experiencing the hot or cold?

Would you like a sauna sausage? That’s what I was asked when I was visiting some friends in Finland last summer. I had no idea what a sauna sausage was at the time although logic told me it was a sausage cooked in a sauna. It turned out I was absolutely right!

Sauna Sausage

I was offered two different types of sausages, one had cheese in it and the alternate didn’t. Sauna sausages are called sauna Makkara in Finnish. I opted to try both. The sauna which my friends had was approximately a 3 hour drive north of Helsinki in the Finnish countryside at their summer cottage. The home sauna is located on a lakeside with picturesque views and not a car or any other man made noise to be heard. It was incredibly peaceful; quite an apt setting for my first sauna sausage experience!

The sauna had been heating up for about an hour and the sausages were on a metal plate which was suspended above the sauna stove. They were thick long plump sausages which had cracked from the great heat from the sauna stove below. The heat from the sauna stove had made the skin of the sausages nice; it was perfect. I ventured up onto the top bench of the sauna and lay down. I glanced up at the temperature, it was about 80 Celsius. I put two ladles of water from the bucket (loyle) onto the sauna stove, feeling the heat quickly flooding the entire sauna. It felt wonderful.

After 5 minutes I took a sauna sausage out of the sauna and sat on the decking wood looking out over the lake and pine forests. The sausage tasted fantastic and without a doubt the most special sausage I’ve ever had. I put the sausage down on the plate, swallowed my last bite and jumped in the lake; refreshing!

I climbed back out, ate the rest of my sausage and entered the sauna again. It was a perfect evening if you ask me! Sausages just simply taste better in saunas!

The latest Sauna World Championships ended in tragedy on Saturday 7th August 2010 when one of the finalists died. Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy, a Russian amateur wrestler in his 60’s, along with rival veteran Timo Kaukonen both collapsed with severe burns after about 6 minutes into the round.

Sadly, Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy died late on Saturday. Hakon Eikesdal, a Norwegian photographer reported that both were shaking and bleeding from what appeared to be severe burns. Ossi Arvela, a competition organiser said that the competition will never be held again after this tragic occurrence. Timo Kaukonen is reported to be in stable condition in hospital as of Sunday.

Tapio from Lahti, Finland comments: “I’ll begin by saying that the temperature or the duration of the stay aren’t the worst parts, it’s the humidity that hurts and in this competition 0.5 litres of water is tossed on the hot stones every 30 seconds. That’s what I call insane! Most Finns don’t look up to these people who just want to see who has the biggest tolerance for pain by scalding themselves. I for one enjoy bathing in a sauna and feel that sauna is a nicely warm place for people to escape daily routines, not about searing oneself. If anyone of you ever visit Finland and still – after this horrible incident – dare to visit a sauna, please do! It just might change your minds!”

Former President of the Philippines, Mr Joseph Estrada has revealed that the secret to his trouble free health has been due to his daily use of a sauna. Estrada claims that he doesn’t believe in skin care products, health supplements, surgery that defies ageing or sunblock. He states that his sauna health regime quite simply involves a 30 minute sauna session every single day, which he has kept strict to over the last 50 years.

“I don’t take vitamins, I just make sure I have my sauna once a day for 30 minutes. I’ve been doing it for 50 years and it’s the reason I don’t get sick,” said Estrada, at a television interview for THE STAR who at 72 claims that he in perfect health. After having a complete executive health check at the Cardinal Santos Hospital in San Juan City, Estrada requested that the results of the check-up be made public.

“The figures speak for themselves. You see, I’m pretty healthy” he declared with confidence. Besides from having recovered from osteoarthritis just over four years ago, where he underwent knee replacement surgery, Estrada’s records show just how well he has kept himself.

An individual instance such as this one is yet another testament to how remarkable using a sauna regularly can actually be for your health. With many different sauna options now easily accessible to the general public it seems that you can’t deny yourself this life luxury any longer.

It is a well known fact that more people are ill over the winter season than any other as “cold-related” illnesses run rampage throughout the population. It’s important to remember that keeping our bodies natural defences running at maximum is key in fighting through this festive time, whilst maintaining good physical and mental well-being. Here are our top tips this Christmas!

Eat well, Rest Well – Make sure you are taking on board your 5 portions of fruit and veg each day, whilst getting a good nights sleep each day. This will keep vital vitamin supplies high for your immune system, especially vitamin C. A nice relaxing bath before bed, accompanied with aromatherapy will help you rest better.

Wash your hands – Regular washing of your hands with soap and warm water will help against carrying infections. Lathering for at least 30 seconds will reduce the risk of spreading infections.

Keep Warm – It is important, and often overlooked, to keep warm when the temperature starts falling. If your body is wasting vital energy maintaining your core temperature, your body can’t use energy fighting against germs. If you lucky enough to have access to a sauna, utilise it daily to sweat out any toxins your body may have taken on board.

Vaccinate – The flu vaccine is free if your over 65 so it is recommended that is taking advantage of. Contact your local GP surgery for more information.

Keep Hydrated – As our homes get warmer over the cold periods, the air tends to be a lot dryer. It is important to take on board as many fluids as possible to ensure your body is well hydrated.